Nanofabrication Technician at the University of Southampton

Section

Photonic Systems Circuits & Sensors Group

Location:

Highfield Campus

Salary

£36,636 to £44,746 per annum

Full Time Fixed Term for 36 months

Closing Date:

Wednesday 12 November 2025

Interview Date

To be confirmed

Reference

3241725BA

We are seeking a Nanofabrication Technician for a new research project to develop biologically inspired miniature acoustic sensors. The project’s aim is to help enable the UK water sector to meet its commitment to half the trillions of litres of water lost from buried water pipes due to leakage. 

 If you are passionate about cutting-edge research and innovation, we offer the opportunity to join a group that has a work culture centred around the team and is very supportive of one another. 

You will be supported to thrive in a university environment, while working on the fabrication and development of devices for future technologies using state-of-art cleanroom facilities. You will be encouraged to develop your career and play a key role in the research. You will have the opportunity to discuss flexible working arrangements.

 “Bio-inspired micromachines for condition assessment of buried water supply pipes” is a new research collaboration between the University of Southampton, the University of Sheffield and University College London, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Within the project, we will develop new biologically-inspired miniature acoustic sensors called neuromasts, which will be integrated with autonomous robots that can travel through buried water supply pipes and detect leaks (similar to those used in https://pipebots.ac.uk/). Your role will be responsible for the fabrication of semiconductor devices by operating a number of tools housed in Southampton’s cleanrooms (Nanofabrication cleanrooms | University of Southampton).

 You will already have experience of working in a laboratory environment, and of successfully planning and progressing work. You will have a degree in a science related subject or equivalent industry experience. Basic knowledge of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) or Silicon Photonics device fabrication is desirable.

 You will benefit from full training in semiconductor device fabrication and will have the opportunity to attend seminars, workshops, and lectures to deepen your knowledge about photonics and MEMS. As a member of the Silicon Photonics group at Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre, you will be able to learn from some of the best researchers in the field and will gain valuable, transferable skills in photonics device fabrication. The University of Southampton is committed to supporting our technical staff and is a signatory of the Technician Commitment and a partner affiliate of the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC).

 As an equal opportunities employer, we are keen to encourage applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

 If you would like to discuss this role informally, please contact Dr Milos Nedeljkovic (m.nedeljkovic@soton.ac.uk)